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Meet staff from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources

Meet staff from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and become more involved with wildlife conservation at several boat and outdoor shows ongoing through March.

With proof of hunters or boaters education registration, outdoor enthusiasts can receive free admission to shows in Louisville, Paducah and Lexington in Kentucky, Nashville, Tennessee, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife hopes to attract hunters and boaters by providing free educational resources. Fishing, hunting and boating are vital to Kentucky’s outdoor industry; together with wildlife watching, as they contribute more than $5.9 billion to the state’s economy.

To complete hunter education certification, a range day is the final requirement. Shows offering range days include: the Field and Stream EXPO in Paducah; the Kentucky Sport, Boat and Recreation Show in Lexington; and the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament in Louisville. Participants must register for a range day, which will involve the use of pellet rifles in a mobile, contained range to fulfill the requirement.

For boaters ages 12-17 needing certification, the Cincinnati Travel, Sport and Boat Show and Louisville Boat Show will feature free boater education certification.

“The boating shows will offer boater education certification at no cost, with help from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife employees, and it lasts a lifetime,” said Marcus Bowling, boater education coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

Generally, boater education courses cost $20 to $30.

“Also, by showing proof of registration for boater education, each young boater and one guest will have free admission to the entire show,” Bowling said.

When boating unaccompanied in Kentucky, minors over 12 years old are required to have boating safety education to operate motorized vessels that reach over 10 horsepower. This regulation helps to ensure safety on the water for the one million-plus boaters in the Commonwealth each year.

Additionally, each outdoor show will offer attendees the opportunity to purchase Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses and permits, apply for the coveted Elk Hunt Drawing, join Kentucky Wild and talk one-on-one with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff.

The 2020 Kentucky Fish and Wildlife outdoor consumer show schedule includes:

Outdoor Life Field and Stream EXPO- Jan. 17-19, Paducah, Kentucky. Register for Hunter Education Range Day

Cincinnati Travel, Sport and Boat Show – Jan. 17-19 and Jan. 22-26, Cincinnati, Ohio. Register to take the Boater Education Certification Class

Louisville Boat, RV and Sportshow – Jan. 22-26, Louisville, Kentucky. Register to take the Boater Education Certification Class

Kentucky Sport, Boat and Recreation Show – Feb. 7-9, Lexington, Kentucky. Register for Hunter Education Range Day

National Wildlife Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show – Feb. 12-16, Nashville, Tennessee

Indiana Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo – Feb. 20-23, Indianapolis, Indiana

National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament – March 13-14, Louisville, Kentucky. Register for Hunter Education Range Day

For more information about boater or hunter education requirements, go online to http://fw.ky.gov or call 1-800-858-1549 during weekday working hours.

(provided by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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